Closing the book on his first year in office, Mayor Renard Johnson declared, “the state of the city of El Paso is strong.”
The mayor made his declaration before a packed house at the El Paso convention center during his first “State of the City” address Wednesday, March 25, where a cornucopia of elected officials and area business leaders turned out to hear Johnson reflect on his first year at the helm. Among them were EPISD Superintendent Brian Lusk, El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, state Rep. Vince Perez and members of the El Paso City Council and El Paso County Commissioners Court.
“There is something special about this city,” Johnson said. “El Paso is a place where people take care of one another.”
“The future of our city will not be built by any one person, or any one office, it will be built by all of us working together,” he continued. “That is the El Paso way, and together, we will continue building a city that is stronger, safer, and more united together.”
Here are a few takeaways from the mayor’s address.
‘El Paso does not stand alone’: Johnson praises Juárez, Las Cruces
A major point of Johnson’s address was the importance of El Paso’s neighbors — Ciudad Juárez to the south and Las Cruces to the west — and how together they constitute “one of the most important economic regions in North America.”
“We are not simply just a border city, we are a gateway city,” Johnson said. “We are a city that connects two nations, two cultures, and one shared future.”
Johnson noted that more than $130 billion in international trade winds its way through El Paso each year, making El Paso not only a key component in global trade but a driving force behind it.
“But El Paso does not stand alone,” he added. “We are part of a dynamic region that includes Ciudad Juárez and Las Cruces.”
“When our cities work together,” Johnson added, “our entire region benefits.”
‘New wave of momentum’: Johnson touts economic development investments
Johnson also celebrated a “new wave of momentum” as investments in advanced manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, technology and entrepreneurship continue flowing into the city.
“Companies are choosing El Paso because of our workforce, our location and our culture of collaboration,” Johnson said, noting that other work is taking place to bolster businesses already in the borderland. “The future of El Paso is not just about attracting business; it’s about growing our own.”
To that end, Johnson said the city is working to enhance the city’s economic infrastructure and residents’ quality of life through projects like the proposed Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza, which “will help reconnect neighborhoods and create new public spaces right in the heart of the city.”
“Because great cities invest not only in roads and buildings,” he said, “they invest in community.”
Public safety remains among ‘highest priorities’
Public safety was likewise top of mind for Johnson during Wednesday’s address.
“El Paso continues to be recognized as one of the safest cities in America,” he said. “That is the result of the hard work of police officers, our firefighters, our emergency responders, our community partners and our residents.”
In hopes of hanging on to that prestigious title, Johnson noted that the city is working to open its new public safety complex near the El Paso International Airport to provide “advanced training and resources” to the city’s first responders. The city is also continuing its efforts to curb drunk driving.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 3 takeaways from El Paso Mayor Johnson’s ‘State of the City’ address
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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